as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reviews
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hustles
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tricks
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cons
Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Even now, 60 years after the show debuted, Eden — who recently celebrated her 94th birthday — still makes appearances at comic-cons and fan events around the world.
—Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with laughter and childlike energy, this debate explores the pros and cons of both worlds.
—Jordan Owens, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The pros and cons of sparse attention An AI model makes decisions based on its training data and new information, such as a prompt.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
While there are pros to dog parks, several cons exist, including potential injuries, disease exposure, and incompatible play styles and personalities, according to Dogster.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
What are the pros and cons of 5G home internet?
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The Cons Of Innovation However, innovation is not without its cons.
—Stephanie Dillon, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But the why behind a family's decision to travel when school is in session is important in weighing the pros and cons, says Robin Berman, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Ultimately, weigh the pros and cons to make a decision that works best for you and your garden.
—Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Even now, 60 years after the show debuted, Eden — who recently celebrated her 94th birthday — still makes appearances at comic-cons and fan events around the world.
—Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with laughter and childlike energy, this debate explores the pros and cons of both worlds.
—Jordan Owens, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
The pros and cons of sparse attention An AI model makes decisions based on its training data and new information, such as a prompt.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
While there are pros to dog parks, several cons exist, including potential injuries, disease exposure, and incompatible play styles and personalities, according to Dogster.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
What are the pros and cons of 5G home internet?
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The Cons Of Innovation However, innovation is not without its cons.
—Stephanie Dillon, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But the why behind a family's decision to travel when school is in session is important in weighing the pros and cons, says Robin Berman, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cons. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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